'Sanlim Nokhwa Girokmul' and 'Jeju 4·3 Sageon Girokmul' Challenge for UNESCO Memory of the World Heritage

Submission of Nomination File to UNESCO Following Review

The 'Afforestation (山林綠化) Records' and the 'Jeju 4·3 Incident Records' are challenging for inscription on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 30th that, after review by the Korean Committee for the Memory of the World, the nomination dossiers for the two records have been submitted to UNESCO. The final decision on inscription will be made at the UNESCO Executive Board meeting in May 2025.

The Afforestation Records document the process of reforesting the war-torn land after the Korean War through public-private cooperation. It is regarded as a model case that other developing countries can refer to. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "These records serve as an exemplary case on international issues such as climate change and desertification prevention."

The Jeju 4·3 Incident Records contain testimonies from victims, investigations into the truth, and processes of reconciliation. The Jeju 4·3 Incident refers to the armed conflict between the South Korean Workers' Party guerrillas and government suppression forces on Jeju Island from March 1, 1947, to September 21, 1954, during which many residents were killed in the suppression operations. It was the second deadliest event in modern Korean history after the Korean War. The Cultural Heritage Administration evaluated, "These records highlight the global importance of human rights while presenting a new path to resolve painful pasts through the spirit of reconciliation and coexistence among the people of Jeju."